Tag Archives: Video Marketing

Recently, I filmed a YouTube video that I had written for my internship with Skillman Video Group. And building up to the shoot day, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I made sure I was prepared, and I made sure my actors were prepared as well. However, I still didn’t learn what was really going to happen until it did, so here I am to teach you a few things you should expect on a shoot day for Boston video production.

Actors

Now, if you’re filming a YouTube video, odds are you don’t have professional actors. I definitely didn’t. However, the actors I did manage to convince to be in my video did an excellent job regardless. But because they were not professional actors for video production Boston, none of them were completely confident in their lines. They all knew their lines, but they were still nervous about performing them once the camera started rolling. What I needed to do was make sure they were as comfortable as possible, and once they were, they did an amazing job. So don’t get frustrated with your actors for not doing something a certain way. Most people don’t perform well under pressure, so try to instead be encouraging and patient, and odds are the shoot will go smoothly.

Sound

I am going to be completely honest. I don’t have a ton of experience with sound in video. I usually just don’t film many videos with sound in it at all. I’m more of a put music in the background and silence the video type of person. However, for this shoot, since I wrote in several lines, sound was a huge priority. I was lucky enough to be able to borrow a camera that I could record the sound on separately. My camera does not have decent sound recording, so this was extremely helpful. I would recommend doing this for anyone who doesn’t have access to an external microphone or camera with better sound recording.

Shooting a YouTube video for video production companies Boston can be stressful, but in the end it’s worth it. If you know what to expect, you stay organized, and you make little to no mistakes, you will end up with a product you are proud of, and that is all that really matters.

Marketing Video Production Services has become more prominent within the industry throughout the past years. With every form of communication being through social media or the internet, it is causing companies to change their marketing tactics. Strategies have to change when the audience changes platforms. Everyone is working hard to get theirvideo marketing strategy just right, but what is the best way to do that? Skillman Video Group uses a company’s values as our approach to making the perfect video.

Each company we work with is different from one another. They aspire toward different goals and have different responsibilities when it comes to their customers. We have worked with consulting firms, law firms, insurance companies, and many others types of businesses. The one thing every company that we have worked with has in common, is that they want us to help them tell their story. Video Marketing Production isn’t just about telling them story though. To create the perfect marketing video SVG focuses on your company’s values and the meaning behind the work done everyday. Looking into the values of your company will allow your customers to really understand you. They want to know why they should be doing business with you, and the best way for them to find out is to learn about the company and the people within it. Some of the main questions SVG likes to have our clients answer in their videos are; What drives you? What are your passions? How do your value transfer to the company’s? All of the questions allow the video’s audience to learn more about the company, and really understand why people get up and do their work everyday. There is always more meaning behind the work being done. Telling the customer the real meaning of all your work is the best way to pull them in.

Other professional video production companies have other focuses when it comes to creating Marketing content, but SVG likes to dig deep. We want your marketing videos to grab the audience and teach them what you are all about. Marketing Video Production isn’t just about telling a story. It is about revealing your passions and reasoning for getting up and doing what you do everyday. Video Marketing is the best way to show your audience the intent behind your company goals.

In digital marketing, it is critical that a team or individual accurately and strategically targets an audience. This process of strategically placing an audience into separate categories is referred to as market segmentation. What segmentation does, as The Balance puts it in their blog post, is it allows a company to understand an audience in a way that makes them able to satisfy the needs of their customers more effectively. Segmentation strategically categorizes audience members based on characteristics such as geography, knowledge or lack of knowledge pertaining to the company/product, age, gender, religion, etc. Based on these categories, marketing teams can now begin to create specific messages that relate closer to each of the segments within their target audience. Perhaps a segment of their market, is recently showing a lack of engagement. What a team can do now is create specific content or copy this segmented piece of their audience. It is all about trying to strategically hone in on a specific group within a target audience.

In professional video production, this type of strategizing is critical in order create an effective piece of content that will truly speak to a group of people. For one of our most recent New England video production shoots, we Dr. Chang who runs her own dental practice in Natick, MA. While interviewing her, the conversation and questions were guiding her towards compelling and eloquent responses with a target audience in mind- that being current and potential new customers. During the shoot and interview, this was on the forefront of everyone’s mind, and so, the interview process was took shifts and turns in order to appease that specific target audience. With the questions we asked, the energy we invited Dr. Chang to exude and the responses we knew were critical to the project, it was all in spite of the target audience in mind.

When in the process of professional video production, audience is always key. Who is watching this? Who cares? And above all, why do they care? Keeping a target audience as the compass is something every professional video production company or marketer needs to learn. From our experience as a New England video production company, it has proven itself undeniably valuable to creating successful video content.

Top Corporate Video Production Shoot

Last Friday, SVG was on set to film a corporate video in collaboration with Wells Fargo. SVG was hired to shoot a series of videos for the company’s “Customer Business Stories,” which is meant to advertise the small businesses that Wells Fargo represents. For this particular video, the set was at a Boxborough veterinary clinic, where we interviewed the founder and owner, as well as shot extensive amounts of B-roll to layer over the footage. In order to produce a successful video, SVG brought in the help of a professional Boston video crew.

Professional Video Equipment

There were two Sony FS7 cameras set up, one for a wider shot, and one for a closer shot of the talent. They were the two primary cameras used on set. Then, in order to shoot the B-Roll, the professional videographers on set used shoulder rigs and mobile tripods to get shots of the animals at the clinic, the facilities, external shots of the building, and the doctor performing various actions, such as lecturing, performing checkups, and brushing the pet’s teeth. One of the plans for B-Roll footage was to attach a GoPro to one of the dogs in order to get a POV shot.

The Audio Equipment

For the audio setup during the interview, a shotgun microphone was placed above the talent just outside of the shot, which made sure that her voice was picked up clearly and in a reasonable decibel range. For extra coverage and clarity, a lavaliere microphone was attached to her clothing. An audio booth was set up towards the back of the room so that the crew member, with the use of headphones, was able to gauge the varying levels and clearness of the talent’s voice. Moreover, the audio had to be directed three ways, which is called a video village. The audio had to be sent to the two FS7 cameras, and then to the actual audio recording device.

Lighting for Production Shoots

For this particular interview, there was an extensive lighting setup. Several LED lights –Lite Softboxes — were used to counteract the backlight, which was coming in through the window behind the talent. The key and fill lights were strategically placed so that the interviewee was evenly lit, which gave the video a professional look. Since LED lights are quite harsh, it was important to diffuse some of the light and reflect it elsewhere. For the B-Roll, there was a battery powered mobile LED box, which was used as needed when moving around the hospital.

In order to produce a successful video, every element of the production process has to be harmonious and planned with great detail. While the set had not been seen until the actual day of shooting, and while there was some troubleshooting with regard to positioning certain lights, there was still a cohesive plan that coordinated with the schedule. Every member of the crew was aware of their respective on-set roles, which made for an incredibly adept day of filming.

As a Film and Television major at Boston University, most of my assignments include video planning, production, and editing. However, producing a video for SVG is different because I must always keep in mind that I am speaking on behalf of SVG’s brand, and not my own vision. When I saw the work that previous interns had done, I was struck by how they were able to combine wit, humor, and professionalism. In the weeks leading up to shooting, I was struggling to figure out how I could also incorporate these elements, until I decided to take a more personal route.

The discovery process for this project consisted of a Q&A discussion about SVG’s history and brand identity. While I have been on a few shoots, and have witnessed the discovery process firsthand, doing it myself asserts its importance, and how much efficiently a project can be completed when there is a pre-existing communication between the subject and the producer. The answers from the interview are going to be a voiceover over various shots of the city, in order to emphasize SVG as a company centralized in Boston. On the actual day of shooting, which was last Friday, I gathered about half of the B-Roll that I plan to accumulate, so that it can be playing simultaneously with the voiceover. While the voiceover provides the information, the B-Roll presents nice visuals which make SVG’s message real and tangible. This brand video is a good example of how video is used to tell a story, and how it can convey a message that attracts a wider audience, one that people are able to relate to.

By optimizing the video, I can finally grasp the importance of SEO and social media marketing. Disseminating the video through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, it has a high chance of reaching our primary audiences, as well as potential clients who are drawn to SVG’s history and overarching message – which is explicitly stated in the video.

On April 4th, Skillman Video Group, a Boston video production company,was asked to shoot a presentation at the New England School of Acupuncture. The presentation was made by Robert Gracey. Mr. Gracey earned his Masters in Acupuncture from the Watertown school. The footage is to be used in helping Mr. Gracey with his video marketing. He will use it on his website and social media accounts to help build his brand. The live event took place over two hours and was shot in two parts: a lecture and a demonstration.

Lecture

The lecture lasted about 40 minutes and Mr. Gracey went through his background, education and methods. It was filmed on an iPhone 7 from a seat in the front row of the class. We didn’t want to get too close to Mr. Gracey as he spoke because he planned on moving out from behind the lectern as he spoke. If we were positioned too close, the camera angles would’ve been bad and the footage would’ve suffered. After he finished speaking about his methods, it was time for a volunteer to go through a demonstration of his treatment.

Demonstration

When the lecture was over and a volunteer chosen, it was time for Mr. Gracey to go to work. He is only one of five acupuncturists in the United States that is certified to practice the Shakuju-kai method from Japan. At first we shot from another desk up by the demonstration. As the demo went on, it was important for us to stand to gain the best footage we could as all the students gathered around the massage table to watch up close. As the treatment was coming to and end, the students retreated back to their seats and we did too to finish up the live event.

Challenges

Since this was a live shoot, a few challenges were presented along the way. During the filming of the lecture, some late arriving students kept walking in front of the camera blocking some shots. Also, as the demonstration was being filmed, the students gathered around the table to watch Mr. Gracey perform. This caused for a quick rearrangement of the camera while trying to maintain a good shot. These challenges were minor but do underscore the nature of a live event. No matter what, you have to be prepared for anything.

For a video marketing company, it is important that the videos you shoot are effective at conveying your message. The first step towards having an effective video is having a successful shoot. As a leading Boston production company, Skillman Video Group can provide you with some tips to make the most out of your video shoot.

Plan Ahead

Preparation is key. Knowing what you want to shoot, where you want to shoot, and the style of the video are important aspects to your video shoot. What kind of video do you want? Draft a storyboard so you have an idea of what the video should look like when it is all done. If you are shooting outdoors, scout the location beforehand. Take note of anything that may hinder your shoot so you aren’t surprised the day of and have to readjust on the fly. Bring backup equipment in the event something breaks. You can never have enough batteries. Having enough equipment on hand provides insurance if something goes wrong. Also, have a clear goal in mind. If your Boston video production is to be successful, you have to know what you want your audience to take away from it.

Stick to Schedule

Time is of the essence so try not to waste any during your shoot. Try to give yourself as much time as possible for the shoot but with the understanding that the unexpected can happen so you may end up being pressed. It is important to have a production schedule available to work off. It will provide you with the “whos, whats, wheres, whens and hows” of the shoot. Staying on schedule will go a long way to ensuring a successful shoot.

Get Good Value

Your video marketing company may have the best plans laid out for the shoot, but if the quality of the video is not any good, it will be hard making the video a success. Be sure to check your cameras white balance so that it captures the true colors of the shot, and is not affected by the light. Use a tripod when possible so that you have a steady shot. Also use any filters necessary for lighting as natural sunlight can cause a negative affect to your footage.

Let it B-Roll

Before going into any shoot, your Boston production company should know what kind of B-roll footage you will need. B-roll is any video that is shown during your production that is not of the primary subject. For example, while your subject talks about their product or services, B-Roll is the footage that is shown of people using the companys’ product or services. It could be used to show your office or town that your company is in. Planning out your B-roll will help prevent you from needing footage you do not have. Also, you can never have enough B-roll so shoot as much as you can.

When it comes time to shoot for a video marketing company, there are many factors that go into making it a success. These tips are just a few that will help you get there.

Skillman Video Group, a Boston video production company, can provide to a business the finest video production service. While a video production shoot takes a lot of time and care, we always find a way to have fun with crew members and clients throughout the process. Depending on the content your company seeks to share, an interview video can be a great way to add character, personality, and story to your site. When you head into a video production shoot, you see all the behind the scenes work that goes into creating amazing video marketing content. So here’s what to expect on set. This time we will focus on interview style videos.

High-end camera on SVG set

First off, by the time you arrive on set the video production crew has probably been working since sunrise. A video production day starts fairly early, as video equipment needs to be set up before hand. A lot may be going on as well once you arrive. If needed, people from hair & makeup, wardrobe, actors, professional videographers, studio manager, and art department are running around getting ready for “ACTION’.

Many considerations go into choosing a location for the shoot, as anything from background noise like steps or talking nearby can be a distraction. A studio set gives the producers more control over the composure of the shots, they can manipulate the background, lighting and general surroundings of the interview scene. Then the lighting takes place—to get that perfect image lighting is key. The most basic form of lighting set up, the three-light method is often used which separates the subject from the background, and everything does not look too dull. As the interviewee may be at the hair & makeup department preparing for their close up, the grips and gaffers are making sure the lighting equipment are set up safety and in the right position. White balance tests are done, and before the interviewee stands in front of the camera we also have to plan for the best audio, which is a little flexible with interviews. SVG tends to use LAV mics, which are very small, portable, and attachable microphones that are ideal for interviews. The mic usually attached to the flap pocket of the clothing. Once the frame is set to the desire of the professional videographer and the microphone is set up, we are ready for a rehearsal. After the rehearsal it’s time for the first take!

This process of shooting takes place for any scene. The stage process goes like:

Block – Determining where the interviewee will be on the set and the first camera position.

Light – Time for the Director of Photography to light the set and position the camera for the first take.

Rehearse – Camera rehearsal of the first set-up with the interviewee and crew.

This past week, Skillman Video Group filmed on location at a local health club and gym and aromatherapy and acupuncturist office to create video content for our client- Acupuncturist Robert Gracey. The goal of the shoot was to film short videos of Gracey in action and interview him and his patients about the healthcare services that he offers. In order to pull this off our team of Boston videographers had to film a variety of shots including interviews, action shots, and some B-roll of Gracey at work with his patients. Each of these shots required a different set up for the camera and different equipment, but luckily SVG is a top Boston video production company and is always prepared for anything.

Interviews

To get an inside look at the services that Gracey offers our Boston video production team arranged a series of interviews with Gracey himself and a few of his acupuncture patients. This group of people is better than just a single interview with Gracey because it provides multiple perspectives of the services that he offers and potential patients who view this video will be able to learn about the treatments from actual patients.

Equipment Needed

Large room with adequate lighting

Lighting equipment with extension cords and adjustable stands

High power microphone that is easily attached to a shirt

High quality video camera and playback screen

Tripod for video camera

Our team of Boston videographers were lucky on this shoot because we were able to conduct our interviews in a large exercise studio in Watertown that provided the perfect backdrop for our healthcare professional. Because the lighting equipment and camera were on tripods we could easily maneuver the equipment to create a variety of shots and backgrounds for each of the different people that were interviewed. This technique allows our corporate video production team to make a large space look even larger!

Action Shots

After the interviews were finished it was time to film Robert Gracey in action. The next step was to get footage of Gracey working out in the gym and doing meditations in the studio. Our Boston video production team also followed him to his personal acupuncture studio to get some shots of him working on a patient. The interviews were just telling the viewer of the video what services he offers, but these action shots are actually showing us what kind of person Gracey is and what the services that he offers actually look like. This can be very reassuring for potential patients who are on the fence about acupuncture. Seeing a video of Gracey working with a client and then hearing the client speak about the treatment is a great way to showcase Gracey’s healthcare methods.

Equipment Needed

light-weight and powerful lighting that can be repositioned depending on location

Steady-cam rig for the video camera for smooth moving shots

Audio recording and microphones are less important for these clips because they are more focused on looking at Gracey rather than hearing what he has to say. These clips are showing, not telling. Rather than placing the camera on a stationary tripod, our Boston videographer used a steady-cam set up. This is a tool that is attached to the body of the videographer so that the videographer become the tripod. The camera is able to move smoothly without bumps or shaking because of the extensive rig so that the videographer can shoot graceful footage while walking around a subject. This was extremely useful while filming Gracey working out in the gym or chopping vegetables in the kitchen.

Professional video production companies love working with friendly and kind healthcare professionals like Robert. He was engaged, energetic and ready to work as soon as he stepped on set. This video shoot was complex because it involved a variety of gear and each shot was unique, meaning that each shot involved a different combination of gear and positioning. Our team of Boston videographers came to set prepared and was able to get each shot and deliver a final product that accurately portrays this skilled acupuncturist.

In the world of video marketing there are endless different brands, styles and classifications of video production equipment including cameras, microphones, lighting and more. For an aspiring videographer all of these options can be quite overwhelming. Video production is a highly competitive field and your competitors are always upgrading equipment and your own equipment can become outdated very quickly. Is a videographer only as good as their equipment? Here at Skillman Video Group, our videographers know that skills and experience are more important and more valuable than owning the latest gear.

What to Expect on Set

Stepping on the set of a video shoot for the first time can be both an exhilarating and terrifying experience. Each experience on set is unique and every shoot is different, so it is difficult to predict what will happen on your first shoot but one thing that should be consistent at every shoot a videographer attends is an early arrival. Experts from elite Boston video production companies all agree that to be on time is to be late, which means that to be fully prepared and ready for any shoot a videographer must arrive at least a half hour early so that he or she can start setting up immediately. Another useful tip from the video production experts is to always ask questions. It is better to be honest and admit where you are inexperienced and confused than to pretend that you know what is going on. It’s ok to show weakness or lack of skill, this is how Boston videographers learn and gain experience is through mistakes and asking questions. Faking knowledge will slow down the entire video production team and potentially sabotage the entire shoot. Skill comes with time, the best in the business have a lot of experience and knowledge that they certainly did not have when they first got started.

Does the Equipment Make the Videographer?

Owning good quality equipment is definitely beneficial in the video production company world, but the equipment is useless if the videographer does not know how to use it. There must be a certain level of competency before a videographer’s skills become evident. These skills are learned through not just filming but mostly from seeing how others work, what they are using and handling a wide range of cameras, both expensive and inexpensive. Before investing a pricey, high-tech camera, a beginner videographer must first completely master the equipment that they already have. This means that they must know the gear inside and out, memorizing every feature and menu option possible. The best way to improve is through experience, so new videographers should always be filming!

Essential Skills

Video production is a highly competitive but extremely rewarding career path. Although most essential skills are learned, there are a few natural abilities and qualities that make a great videographer. For example, a good videographer has a close attention to detail, both visual and auditory detail. They must watch all the meters on the equipment and actually listen in real life to what is happening on a shoot, this is to prevent any unwanted sound or errors when recording video. Boston videographers must be attentive and aware of the small ambient sounds around them because sound is half of the picture. A good videographer also knows the limitations of their equipment, not all equipment is created equally so the users must know what their gear can and can not do well. Along with understand the limitations, successful videographers must be able to work with different types of equipment and be able to work inside the limitations. It is dangerous to depend on the quality of your equipment, and knowing how to use a wide variety is useful because there is such a large array of different types of cameras, audio tools and editing software that could be used for each different video shoot.

In conclusion, the video equipment does not make the videographer. There is a lot more to being a great videographer than having top of the line gear and having the budget to update cameras with each update. Successful members of video production teams value each experience and are able to learn from their mistakes and from their successes. Video production is very fun and can be very lucrative, but keep in mind that it is a competitive businesses. The best videographers agree that video production is worth the struggle because when they step off the set, they know that they are doing what they love.

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Skillman Video Group (SVG)

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